How disciples (novices in Súfism) are beguiled in their need by false impostors and imagine them to be Shaykhs and venerable personages and (saints) united (with God), and do not know the difference between fact (naqd) and fiction (naql) and between what is tied on (artificially) and what has grown up (naturally).

بهر این گفتند دانایان به فن ** میهمان محسنان باید شدن‌‌

For this reason the wise have said with knowledge, ‘One must become the guest of those who confer benefits.’

تو مرید و میهمان آن کسی ** کاو ستاند حاصلت را از خسی‌‌2265

Thou art the disciple and guest of one who, from his vileness, robs thee of all thou hast.

نیست چیره چون ترا چیره کند ** نور ندهد مر ترا تیره کند

He is not strong: how should he make thee strong? He does not give light, (nay) he makes thee dark.

چون و را نوری نبود اندر قران ** نور کی یابند از وی دیگران‌‌

Since he had no light (in himself), how in association (with him) should others obtain light from him?

همچو اعمش کو کند داروی چشم ** چه کشد در چشمها الا که یشم‌‌

(He is) like the half-blind healer of eyes: what should he put in (people's) eyes except jasper?

حال ما این است در فقر و عنا ** هیچ مهمانی مبا مغرور ما

Such is our state in poverty and affliction: may no guest be beguiled by us!

قحط ده سال ار ندیدی در صور ** چشمها بگشا و اندر ما نگر2270

If thou hast never seen a ten years' famine in (visible) forms, open thine eyes and look at us.

ظاهر ما چون درون مدعی ** در دلش ظلمت زبانش شعشعی‌‌

Our outward appearance is like the inward reality of the impostor: darkness in his heart, his tongue flashy (plausible).

از خدا بویی نه او را نی اثر ** دعویش افزون ز شیث و بو البشر

He has no scent or trace of God, (but) his pretension is greater than (that of) Seth and the Father of mankind (Adam).

دیو ننموده و را هم نقش خویش ** او همی‌‌گوید ز ابدالیم و بیش‌‌

The Devil (is so ashamed of him that he) has not shown to him even his portrait, (yet) he (the impostor) is saying, ‘We are of the Abdál and are more (we are superior even to them).’

حرف درویشان بدزدیده بسی ** تا گمان آید که هست او خود کسی‌‌

He has stolen many an expression used by dervishes, in order that he himself may be thought to be a (holy) personage.

خرده گیرد در سخن بر بایزید ** ننگ دارد از درون او یزید2275

In his talk he cavils at Báyazíd, (although) Yazíd would be ashamed of his inward (thoughts and feelings).

بی‌‌نوا از نان و خوان آسمان ** پیش او ننداخت حق یک استخوان‌‌

(He is) without (any) portion of the bread and viands of Heaven: God did not throw a single bone to him.

او ندا کرده که خوان بنهاده‌‌ام ** نایب حقم خلیفه زاده‌‌ام‌‌

He has proclaimed, ‘I have laid out the dishes, I am the Vicar of God, I am the son of the (spiritual) Khalífa: